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A Shadow Life
Run, Laney, run. That’s what Mama said she should do if something really bad happened. What just happened is worse than Mama could have imagined. Now Laney, terrified, covered in blood, and alone, is on the run from the law.
Laney finds a way to hide in plain sight and builds a safe and near-perfect new life. Safe and near- perfect, that is, until three people from the past show up looking for revenge, redemption and love.
Laney finds a way to hide in plain sight and builds a safe and near-perfect new life. Safe and near- perfect, that is, until three people from the past show up looking for revenge, redemption and love.
423 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 5, 2016
9 people are currently reading
41 people want to read
About the author
Leta McCurry
8 books65 followersTwitter:
Facebook:
https://www.letamccurry.com/fans-friends
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Tale-spinner. Revealer of secrets. Cornbread and fried okra country girl. Shares life and space with The Chief and Bailey, the rescue pup, who would be the perfect dog if she could hold her likker.
Enjoys writing and reading. Answers the siren song of any long, lonesome road, preferably on a motorcycle. Blessed by a large, forgiving, fun-loving family, and a handful of solid-gold friends. A pushover for good food, intrigued by genealogy, and travel. (Favorite destinations: Ireland and Singapore.)
Writes Twentieth-century historical fiction about ordinary women lighting fires of self-discovery and finding within themselves the strength and courage to overcome overwhelming adversity and live life on their own terms.
Author of Introduction to Commercial Real Estate, a college textbook published by Prentice-Hall. Published first fiction, High Cotton Country, at age eighty, followed by A Shadow Life, Dancing to the Silence, and All the Colors of My Soul. Presently, at age eighty-eight, trying to choose among the nagging stories pitching me to be next in line.
Of McCurry's style, a reviewer has said "Leta has the knack for the humor particular to the South like so many southern women writers; authors like Rita Mae Brown, Eudora Welty, and my all time favorite, Ellen Gilchrist" — Kate Hitt
Other Amazon reviewer comments:
"For the first time ever, I found myself “talking” to her characters as if I was actually there. That is how real her characters feel. - " Sheri McNary
"I read it in one night, didn't want to put it down. McCurry writes strong, determined women who overcome circumstances to rise to the top, while hiding their vulnerability from the world." - Janice Clark
The most fun about writing, she says, comes from getting to know the characters and seeing what they will do in the course of the story. Sometimes they don’t behave as expected. And, she adds, “I seem to relate to the characters in such a way that their unfolding ends up being a growing experience for me as well.”
Facebook:
https://www.letamccurry.com/fans-friends
Blog:
Tale-spinner. Revealer of secrets. Cornbread and fried okra country girl. Shares life and space with The Chief and Bailey, the rescue pup, who would be the perfect dog if she could hold her likker.
Enjoys writing and reading. Answers the siren song of any long, lonesome road, preferably on a motorcycle. Blessed by a large, forgiving, fun-loving family, and a handful of solid-gold friends. A pushover for good food, intrigued by genealogy, and travel. (Favorite destinations: Ireland and Singapore.)
Writes Twentieth-century historical fiction about ordinary women lighting fires of self-discovery and finding within themselves the strength and courage to overcome overwhelming adversity and live life on their own terms.
Author of Introduction to Commercial Real Estate, a college textbook published by Prentice-Hall. Published first fiction, High Cotton Country, at age eighty, followed by A Shadow Life, Dancing to the Silence, and All the Colors of My Soul. Presently, at age eighty-eight, trying to choose among the nagging stories pitching me to be next in line.
Of McCurry's style, a reviewer has said "Leta has the knack for the humor particular to the South like so many southern women writers; authors like Rita Mae Brown, Eudora Welty, and my all time favorite, Ellen Gilchrist" — Kate Hitt
Other Amazon reviewer comments:
"For the first time ever, I found myself “talking” to her characters as if I was actually there. That is how real her characters feel. - " Sheri McNary
"I read it in one night, didn't want to put it down. McCurry writes strong, determined women who overcome circumstances to rise to the top, while hiding their vulnerability from the world." - Janice Clark
The most fun about writing, she says, comes from getting to know the characters and seeing what they will do in the course of the story. Sometimes they don’t behave as expected. And, she adds, “I seem to relate to the characters in such a way that their unfolding ends up being a growing experience for me as well.”
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
November 26, 2017
Leta McCurry is exceptionally gifted as an author. She brings her characters to life in vivid detail, along with the world around them. In A Shadow Life, she shares intimate details of life, and the
struggle to survive, in the days of the Great Depression. Her book reminds me that out of tragedy can come great strength, hope, and love.
struggle to survive, in the days of the Great Depression. Her book reminds me that out of tragedy can come great strength, hope, and love.
February 24, 2022
Author Leta McCurry’s “A Shadow Life” is one of the most absorbing novels I have read.
In a nutshell, it is the story of Laney Belle Hawkins and how she came to change her identity in order to save her life.
Set in the 1930’s through 1960’s, McCurry powerfully addresses the injustices and powerlessness of many American women during this transitional time period of the Twentieth Century. She does this particularly through the uneducated, unskilled, chronically ill widow Mattie Hawkins, and the marginally educated, sex-obsessed beauty, Ruby Jo Cassity. While Mattie settles for a brutal man only to keep a roof over her head and that of her daughter Laney, Ruby Jo uses her sexuality as a steppingstone toward her dream of escaping her isolated rural existence for a career as a Hollywood actress. In contrast, Mattie’s daughter, Laney Belle Hawkins begins her climb out of the abyss through the efforts of a kindly retired schoolteacher, but is haunted by a demon from her past.
“A Shadow Life” is a character-driven novel that would have been stronger if the author had interwoven the stories of the characters into the central plot of her protagonist, Laney Belle Hawkins. McCurry's decision to introduce the three main characters in individual stories (separated as "Parts") created a disjointed feel. Despite that, her intimate portrayal of A Shadow Life's characters compels one to keep reading. Author Leta McCurry brings the reader inside the heads of her characters and presents their experiences through their eyes and thought processes, especially in her most defined character, Ruby Jo Cassity. (Ruby is an absolute hoot!)
Regardless of the structural issue, Leta McCurry proves herself as a talented writer with a gift for immersing the reader into time and place by her almost poetic descriptiveness. I commend Leta McCurry for this profound work.
In a nutshell, it is the story of Laney Belle Hawkins and how she came to change her identity in order to save her life.
Set in the 1930’s through 1960’s, McCurry powerfully addresses the injustices and powerlessness of many American women during this transitional time period of the Twentieth Century. She does this particularly through the uneducated, unskilled, chronically ill widow Mattie Hawkins, and the marginally educated, sex-obsessed beauty, Ruby Jo Cassity. While Mattie settles for a brutal man only to keep a roof over her head and that of her daughter Laney, Ruby Jo uses her sexuality as a steppingstone toward her dream of escaping her isolated rural existence for a career as a Hollywood actress. In contrast, Mattie’s daughter, Laney Belle Hawkins begins her climb out of the abyss through the efforts of a kindly retired schoolteacher, but is haunted by a demon from her past.
“A Shadow Life” is a character-driven novel that would have been stronger if the author had interwoven the stories of the characters into the central plot of her protagonist, Laney Belle Hawkins. McCurry's decision to introduce the three main characters in individual stories (separated as "Parts") created a disjointed feel. Despite that, her intimate portrayal of A Shadow Life's characters compels one to keep reading. Author Leta McCurry brings the reader inside the heads of her characters and presents their experiences through their eyes and thought processes, especially in her most defined character, Ruby Jo Cassity. (Ruby is an absolute hoot!)
Regardless of the structural issue, Leta McCurry proves herself as a talented writer with a gift for immersing the reader into time and place by her almost poetic descriptiveness. I commend Leta McCurry for this profound work.
June 29, 2018
If you have ever read a novel by VC Andrews, this author's writing is a bit like that. This is the story of life, beginning in a different time. In the thirties and moving forward the author tells the tale of life for Laney Belle Hawkins. The story will take readers through a difficult tale of what life was really like for women. Laney is a great character who is doing what she can to survive and somehow come out on top. I like the feeling of this story and the way reality blends with fiction . The author knows how to write a story readers can fall into, sit back and enjoy.
November 7, 2019
Leta tells one hell of a tale
As a writer, I could only hope to spin a narrative this amazing. Easy to follow and filled with some cringe-worthy moments (Harley) but it kept me following through poor Laney's tales and Ruby Jo, how I saw Hollywood for the girl with a jar of nickels and dimes. Fantastic read!!!
As a writer, I could only hope to spin a narrative this amazing. Easy to follow and filled with some cringe-worthy moments (Harley) but it kept me following through poor Laney's tales and Ruby Jo, how I saw Hollywood for the girl with a jar of nickels and dimes. Fantastic read!!!
October 14, 2019
Absorbing!
What a tale! I am in love with this book, truly. A harrowing and depressing tale in the beginning of two girls/two familes. Mattie and Laney and then Ruby Jo growing up in the deep south in the 1930's-40's. Lots of tragedy and poverty. It makes me feel so lucky to grow up and live as a woman in modern times. My heart broke for both Mattie and also for Ruby Jo's parents.
But the two separate tales find a connection and Laney ends up crossing her life with Ruby Jo's. A very complex tale turns into a beautiful and joyful life. Tugged at my heartstrings. This book was impossible to put down. I loved every second of it. Only thing is I never understood why Laney never thought to get one or more firearms to protect herself? But she was one smart cookie! Very few people would have the courage, the wit and the conviction to overcome everything that she did and defeat her life long oppressor in the end. I cant wait to read another novel from this author!
What a tale! I am in love with this book, truly. A harrowing and depressing tale in the beginning of two girls/two familes. Mattie and Laney and then Ruby Jo growing up in the deep south in the 1930's-40's. Lots of tragedy and poverty. It makes me feel so lucky to grow up and live as a woman in modern times. My heart broke for both Mattie and also for Ruby Jo's parents.
But the two separate tales find a connection and Laney ends up crossing her life with Ruby Jo's. A very complex tale turns into a beautiful and joyful life. Tugged at my heartstrings. This book was impossible to put down. I loved every second of it. Only thing is I never understood why Laney never thought to get one or more firearms to protect herself? But she was one smart cookie! Very few people would have the courage, the wit and the conviction to overcome everything that she did and defeat her life long oppressor in the end. I cant wait to read another novel from this author!
February 20, 2018
Author Leta McCurry’s “A Shadow Life” is one of the most absorbing novels I have read.
In a nutshell, it is the story of Laney Belle Hawkins and how she came to change her identity in order to save her life.
Set in the 1930’s through 1960’s, McCurry powerfully addresses the injustices and powerlessness of many American women during this transitional time period of the Twentieth Century. She does this particularly through the uneducated, unskilled, chronically ill widow Mattie Hawkins, and the marginally educated, sex-obsessed beauty, Ruby Jo Cassity. While Mattie settles for a brutal man only to keep a roof over her head and that of her daughter Laney, Ruby Jo uses her sexuality as a steppingstone toward her dream of escaping her isolated rural existence for a career as a Hollywood actress. In contrast, Mattie’s daughter, Laney Belle Hawkins begins her climb out of the abyss through the efforts of a kindly retired schoolteacher, but is haunted by a demon from her past.
“A Shadow Life” is a character-driven novel that would have been stronger if the author had interwoven the stories of the characters into the central plot of her protagonist, Laney Belle Hawkins. McCurry's decision to introduce the three main characters in individual stories (separated as "Parts") created a disjointed feel. Despite that, her intimate portrayal of A Shadow Life's characters compels one to keep reading. Author Leta McCurry brings the reader inside the heads of her characters and presents their experiences through their eyes and thought processes, especially in her most defined character, Ruby Jo Cassity. (Ruby is an absolute hoot!)
Regardless of the structural issue, Leta McCurry proves herself as a talented writer with a gift for immersing the reader into time and place by her almost poetic descriptiveness. I commend Leta McCurry for this profound work.
In a nutshell, it is the story of Laney Belle Hawkins and how she came to change her identity in order to save her life.
Set in the 1930’s through 1960’s, McCurry powerfully addresses the injustices and powerlessness of many American women during this transitional time period of the Twentieth Century. She does this particularly through the uneducated, unskilled, chronically ill widow Mattie Hawkins, and the marginally educated, sex-obsessed beauty, Ruby Jo Cassity. While Mattie settles for a brutal man only to keep a roof over her head and that of her daughter Laney, Ruby Jo uses her sexuality as a steppingstone toward her dream of escaping her isolated rural existence for a career as a Hollywood actress. In contrast, Mattie’s daughter, Laney Belle Hawkins begins her climb out of the abyss through the efforts of a kindly retired schoolteacher, but is haunted by a demon from her past.
“A Shadow Life” is a character-driven novel that would have been stronger if the author had interwoven the stories of the characters into the central plot of her protagonist, Laney Belle Hawkins. McCurry's decision to introduce the three main characters in individual stories (separated as "Parts") created a disjointed feel. Despite that, her intimate portrayal of A Shadow Life's characters compels one to keep reading. Author Leta McCurry brings the reader inside the heads of her characters and presents their experiences through their eyes and thought processes, especially in her most defined character, Ruby Jo Cassity. (Ruby is an absolute hoot!)
Regardless of the structural issue, Leta McCurry proves herself as a talented writer with a gift for immersing the reader into time and place by her almost poetic descriptiveness. I commend Leta McCurry for this profound work.
July 21, 2017
A Shadow Life is the second book by Leta McCurry and what a book it is! Filled with tales of love, despair, duplicity, revenge and drama, this book is a captivating read. McCurry has created multiple stories with a great plot that culminates into a single ending. Her characters are rich in their flaws and full of life, the plot is also good with lot of twist and turns. Add top-notch writing skills to this – lo and behold, you have a beautiful book in your hand. This is exactly what Leta McCurry has accomplished in A Shadow Life.
A Shadow Life tells the story of three ladies spanning two generations. It narrates the story of Mattie Hawkins, a fragile and timid woman, who after the death of her husband survives on the charity of people in her church congregation. Looking for a brighter future for her child Laney Belle Hawkins, she reluctantly marries Harley Faddis who disguises as an affluent man to win her hand. However, the truth is far from this and Mattie along with Laney is forced into a confined slavery under Harley. Ruby Jo Cassity is the village belle who is sexually precocious. She fills her head with dreams of Hollywood and elopes to make her dreams come true. Soon tragedy strikes and she is left injured and under the care of Milo French, a pig farmer. Soon after giving birth to their child Mercy Grace French, Ruby Jo elopes with the child to fulfill her dreams. What happens to Mercy Grace French and Laney Belle Hawkins forms the rest of the story which is full of adventure and drama.
Read more here : https://bookescapadeblog.wordpress.co...
A Shadow Life tells the story of three ladies spanning two generations. It narrates the story of Mattie Hawkins, a fragile and timid woman, who after the death of her husband survives on the charity of people in her church congregation. Looking for a brighter future for her child Laney Belle Hawkins, she reluctantly marries Harley Faddis who disguises as an affluent man to win her hand. However, the truth is far from this and Mattie along with Laney is forced into a confined slavery under Harley. Ruby Jo Cassity is the village belle who is sexually precocious. She fills her head with dreams of Hollywood and elopes to make her dreams come true. Soon tragedy strikes and she is left injured and under the care of Milo French, a pig farmer. Soon after giving birth to their child Mercy Grace French, Ruby Jo elopes with the child to fulfill her dreams. What happens to Mercy Grace French and Laney Belle Hawkins forms the rest of the story which is full of adventure and drama.
Read more here : https://bookescapadeblog.wordpress.co...
July 4, 2017
Review of A Shadow Life, by Leta McCurry. I, Dorothy Bell received a free copy of A Shadow Life, by Leta McCurry in exchange for an honest review. Oh what a tangled web of lies Laney Hawkins, alias Mercy Grace French weaves when first she practices to run, hide, save her skin and not get murdered by the disgusting abuser Harley who killed her mother. The blending of Laney’s life and Mercy Grace’s life had me puzzled, which is a good thing, it kept me wanting to know how they would hook up. Clever Laney made a plan and it worked very well until the past popped up like dead fish in a stagnant pond, first Harley, then the mother that wasn’t, and the brother that wasn’t.
The author not only delivered a page turner, but she delivered desperation, futility, fear and the hopelessness of the late depression era of America in words and description. I really didn’t see a way out from under all the subterfuge. I held my breath until the very end, wondering how Laney could possibly unravel all her lies. I crossed my fingers and hoped for a happy ending. I got it, thank you Leta McCurry.
The author not only delivered a page turner, but she delivered desperation, futility, fear and the hopelessness of the late depression era of America in words and description. I really didn’t see a way out from under all the subterfuge. I held my breath until the very end, wondering how Laney could possibly unravel all her lies. I crossed my fingers and hoped for a happy ending. I got it, thank you Leta McCurry.
May 16, 2017
I enjoyed this book for the most part. The author, Leta McCurry is quite talented, but I think she was trying to tell too much story in one book. Her descriptions and characters are rich, and it's obvious that she did her share of research into the historical settings and circumstances. But the story described in the blurb doesn't get started until halfway through the book. There's an awful lot of backstory that could have been slipped in throughout the manuscript. The trials of Mattie at the beginning could have been a book in and of itself! It reminded me a lot of those family epics that my mom used to read. While it wasn't the type of book I normally read, I was engrossed from page one and I think you will be too.
June 22, 2019
This is the first book I have read by this author and it was the best book I have read in a long time. Great character development, great story development, great storyline, you fall in live with some of the characters, grow to hate some of the characters, and she is so descriptive that you can picture every scene as if you were there. I love how she took her time and tied all the characters in together, bringing the story to life. Wow! Just wow! What a great read! I am looking forward to reading another book from this author and I already have one picked out!
June 8, 2017
A shadow life was such a perfect combination of ingredients: drama, adventure, mystery and romance. The author attempted to spin a very complicated web of plot lines and succeeded with flying colors. You will grow to love certain characters, while you also grow to hate others, but the important thing is you will care deeply about them and their outcome and that is one of the main goal of any author.
October 28, 2018
A story full of emotions and heartache. Will there be a chance for hope? Will Laney find happiness in her life? From the first page, the story captured me. Descriptions and details bring the story to life. I received a copy of this book from the author. This is my personal honest opinion. No review was required.
January 14, 2018
Leta McCurry does it again, bringing alive the deep Texas of the depression along with the four courageous women living through trama, challenges, escapes and redemption. A must read.
November 24, 2017
Captivating
Surprising twists and characters you have to root for. I loved how the two separate stories tied together. No spoilers here. Can’t wait for her next book.
Surprising twists and characters you have to root for. I loved how the two separate stories tied together. No spoilers here. Can’t wait for her next book.
July 2, 2019
I’m in love!
This book was so well written! I fell in love with all of the characters and I absolutely loved this book!
This book was so well written! I fell in love with all of the characters and I absolutely loved this book!
March 5, 2017
Please tell me how to get the lost chapter? I am absolutely in love with this book! Its 4:30 in the morning, I couldn't put it down. This story had everything I could want in a book. I was in suspense, mad, I hated certain characters and I absolutely loved others. I cried, I was afraid and I just couldn't get enough.
February 23, 2017
Wow! This powerfully intriguing book caught me completely unawares and completely captivated me! I wasn't too sure what I'd be getting into reading this book and I was not disappointed in the least! The story starts off with Mattie Hawkins and her tragic tale of her husband's death, leaving her alone with her daughter and no money. After being tricked into marriage by a traveling salesman, they're forced to live in poverty and abuse with no escape. Then the story takes a sharp turn and you're introduced to Ruby Jo's tragic tale of young and restless love. Then, you're spun back around to Laney, her escape and her eventual success under a stolen identity. After characters from her past show up, sh'es hard tried to maintain her facade while still battling her feelings.
This story was powerfully written with vivid descriptions that chronicle the tragic lives of three women who"s lives intertwine like a knitted rug. I was completely enraptured by all three settings and found myself quite unable to put this book down! Definitely a different read for me, I thoroughly enjoyed it!
This story was powerfully written with vivid descriptions that chronicle the tragic lives of three women who"s lives intertwine like a knitted rug. I was completely enraptured by all three settings and found myself quite unable to put this book down! Definitely a different read for me, I thoroughly enjoyed it!
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews